KSAT Sports Previews Spurs-Trail Blazers Playoff Matchup

Experts analyze impact of Wembanyama's absence and Splitter's Spurs history

Apr. 19, 2026 at 10:52pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented basketball game, with sharp planes of color representing the uniforms of the competing teams.The upcoming Spurs-Trail Blazers playoff series promises an intense, multifaceted battle on the hardwood.San Antonio Today

In a special playoff edition of 'The Press Box,' KSAT 12 Sports' Larry Ramirez and Ashley Gonzalez share their predictions for the series between the San Antonio Spurs and Portland Trail Blazers. They also discuss how Victor Wembanyama's absence against Portland in the regular season could affect the matchup, and whether Tiago Splitter's past with the Spurs will play a role.

Why it matters

The Spurs-Trail Blazers playoff series is a highly anticipated matchup, with both teams looking to advance in the postseason. Wembanyama's absence and Splitter's history add interesting storylines that could impact the outcome.

The details

Ramirez and Gonzalez broke down their picks for the series winner, noting that Wembanyama's three regular season absences against Portland could be a factor. They also discussed whether Tiago Splitter's previous experience with the Spurs organization might give the Trail Blazers an advantage in the series.

  • The Spurs-Trail Blazers playoff series begins on April 20, 2026.

The players

Larry Ramirez

KSAT 12 Sports reporter and analyst.

Ashley Gonzalez

KSAT 12 Sports reporter and analyst.

Victor Wembanyama

Highly touted rookie center for the San Antonio Spurs who missed all three regular season games against the Trail Blazers.

Tiago Splitter

Former Spurs player who is now an assistant coach for the Portland Trail Blazers.

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What they’re saying

“Wembanyama's absence in the regular season could definitely be a factor in this series. Portland was able to get a good look at the Spurs without him, which could give them an advantage.”

— Larry Ramirez, KSAT 12 Sports reporter and analyst

“Tiago Splitter knows the Spurs organization inside and out. That familiarity could pay dividends for the Trail Blazers as they try to game plan against San Antonio.”

— Ashley Gonzalez, KSAT 12 Sports reporter and analyst

What’s next

The Spurs-Trail Blazers playoff series begins on April 20, 2026. Game 1 will be a key indicator of how Wembanyama's absence and Splitter's inside knowledge impact the matchup.

The takeaway

This Spurs-Trail Blazers series features intriguing subplots that could sway the outcome, from Wembanyama's regular season absence to Splitter's familiarity with the Spurs. Fans will be eager to see how these factors play out on the court.